Highlights
- One of 1,050 built for the British market
- Subject to a comprehensive restoration in 2018
- Retrimmed interior
- Impressive history file
The Appeal
The 90s were approaching, and Rover took note of John Cooper’s tinkerings with the original classic Mini, selling body kits to foreign markets and souping up the odd 998cc model. Graham Day, Rover’s MD, invited him to Longbridge and asked, simply, what he envisioned as a Mini for the new decade. The result boasted the surprisingly hefty MG Metro 1275cc engine, a nifty, effortlessly 90s interior from the Type 30 and, crucially, a simple layout that allowed home mechanical work. Only 1,650 were ever built, with 600 of them sent to foreign markets.
The demand blew Rover away, and their Rover Special Product sold out very quickly. The Mini was back, and it was back in style - opening the gates to perhaps one of the most limited-editioned cars in history.
This example has undergone an impressive restoration, with effort taken to keep it in a perfect 90s-period-accurate spec. The result is a RSP Mini Cooper in fabulous stead, ready and waiting for its next jolly jaunt. After all, with a tough engine under the bonnet and that tiny wheel base, it basically feels like a go kart.
The History and Paperwork
- Valid MOT until October 2023
- Warranted mileage of 101,250
- Odometer reset to zero during restoration - mileage calculated accordingly
- Original handbooks included
- Impressive history file with invoices and certificates
- Some of the more substantial work was completed by the garage "Super Mini"
- Information from previous Mini Runs including the famous London to Brighton run
The Interior
- Very nicely presented interior in original RSP factory spec
- Some retrimming carried out including seat squabs, door cards, steering wheel and carpets
- All retrimmed features are period-accurate: even the after-market stereo is of 90s vintage!
- “Lightning and leather” seating in good order, with no rips or scuffs we can discern
- Matching door cards are in excellent order with no issues to highlight
- Carpets are in very good condition with no major signs of wear
- Plastic dash in good order with clean, legible dials
- Ceiling presents nicely with minor wear
- All features reportedly in good working order
- Boot floor replaced in 2016
- Boot shows some light paint flaking on the tank housing, but is clean and well kept
- Contains excellent looking spare wheel
The Exterior
- Period accurate Mini RSP features throughout
- Finished in Black RCZ with White NMN accents and roof
- Underwent a full-body restoration from 2016 to 2018
- All corroded areas cut out during restoration and replaced
- New wings, front valance, bonnet, boot and doors
- Paintwork in excellent order commensurate with low post-restoration mileage
- No stone chips, cracks or blistering that we can discern
- Brightwork in good order and presents with a nice lustre
- Door seams in good order
- All panels appear tight and straight across the board
- Sitting on a set of period-accurate Mini-Lite alloys with good tyres
- Underside has some signs of corrosion, but we’re informed it’s strictly surface level
The Mechanics
- Original 1,275cc transverse four-cylinder engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- New clutch fitted during restoration, while engine and gearbox are original
- New rear brake shoes and cylinders fitted in 2021
- Engine bay is in good order and appears clean and well kept
- Engine itself is showing cosmetic wear in line with age, but is mechanically sound
- No leaks, smoke, bangs or knocks reported by the vendor
- Overall, everything here appears to be in fine mechanical stead
Summary
Classic aesthetics, John Cooper’s touch and the top-spec engine make the RSP Mini Cooper a very, very desirable car. This example is simply top-notch and a great modern classic that'll charm even the most experienced enthusiast.
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